My 92 Ranger began running rough, hard to start, very little torque, and getting worse as I drove it. I checked the fuel filter and put in new plugs and wires, but this didn't help. I over-heated the clutch getting it to the repair shop, where they told me that the timing belt slipped a couple of teeth, and said that they would charge $450 to replace it.
I replaced it and the tensioner pulley myself. It did look like it had slipped a couple of teeth, but I didn't know why, which worried me a little. I checked for Top Dead Center with a screwdriver in the #1 sparkplug whole (advancing a little at a time several times from both forward and reverse), and it seemed to be about 10 degrees before TDC as marked on the crankshaft pulley. However, I went by the marks as on the crankshaft pulley and camshaft gear, as close as I could get them to line up.
It ran fine for a couple of days, although engine torque still seemed to be lacking. Then it started missing bad and has little torque like before I "fixed" it. When I re-checked the timing, it's only about half a tooth off by the marks, and that's where I had it, I think. The belt tension seems good. I'm hoping that I can move the belt a tooth or two without too much trouble, and tension the belt extra- good, and that this would fix it.
I've replaced a half-dozen timing belts on various four-bangers without any trouble. I got this one as tight (tensioned) as the others. I'm at a bit of a loss as to why the belt's slipping. My shop didn't indicate that this engine has a problem with this. Any assist would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks, John jfcarpent1@exci+e.com (change "+" to a "t")